How Can I Be Strong in Math? 8 Ways to Improve Your Math Skills and Feel More Confident With Numbers
If you’re a student who struggles with math, it can be tempting to think that you’ll never be strong in the subject. But, if you follow a few simple steps, you can learn to improve your math skills and feel more confident with numbers.
1. Practice Mental Math
The ability to mentally solve math problems is essential for a solid foundation of basic arithmetic concepts. It also prepares you for more complex topics such as calculus.
2. Get Help If You Need It
Whether you’re struggling with a specific concept or not, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from your teacher or fellow students. They are often willing to explain complicated math topics in a way that makes sense for their students.
3. Take Care of Your Homework
Make sure that you always complete all your homework assignments and other graded materials on time. This will keep your skills sharp and ensure that you don’t miss out on valuable learning opportunities.
4. Study in a Focused and Distraction-Free Environment
One of the best ways to stay strong in math is to study in a focused and distraction-free environment. For example, set a timer and aim to focus on the work that’s ahead of you for an hour or so at a time.
5. Master the Fundamentals
The basic math fundamentals of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are important to know if you want to improve your math skills. These simple operations are critical to solving many arithmetic problems, and they will be helpful in many other subjects as well.
6. Grasp Concepts Before Moving On
Every new math topic builds on the previous one, so it’s important to understand all of the relevant topics before you start learning the next ones. If you find that a certain topic is difficult, try to go over it again and again until you get a grasp of the material.
7. Practice Mental Math
While some math problems require a pencil and paper, others can be done in your head without the use of a calculator. This practice can help you become a better mathematician and develop strong memory skills as well.
8. Write Down Problem-solving Steps
Sometimes students forget to take the right steps when they’re tackling problems, so writing down each step can help them understand the process. This will save them time when they come across similar issues in the future.
9. Practice Mental Math While You’re Out and About
Some arithmetic questions are so simple that they’re not even worth thinking about using a calculator. For example, calculating how much to tip a waiter at a restaurant could be done in your head, which can save you time and frustration.
10. Improve Your Number Sense
Finally, practicing mental math can help you cultivate your number sense, or the ability to understand and relate numbers to one another. This can be helpful in a variety of situations, from making grocery purchases to estimating sales taxes.